Jean Mackey

Edwina “Jean” Mackey was a spunky home town girl who had many interests throughout her life. A devoted wife and dedicated mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, the most important thing in Jean’s life was the love and company of her family and the many friends that she had been blessed with. She will be lovingly missed in the hearts of those she leaves behind.

In the farming community of Marne, Michigan Edwina Jean Doty was a healthy baby girl born to Lee and Beatrice Doty on January 22, 1934. The American dream had become a nightmare during the years of the Great Depression and times were desperate. With money scarce many flocked to theaters to relieve their minds from everyday worries. A bright light in her parents’ lives little Edwina (named after a movie star of the era), or Jean as she was known, offered hope and promise for the young couple as they worked hard to overcome the affects of hard economic times.

Growing up on the family farm on 32nd Avenue in Marne, Jean’s father farmed crops of muskmelons and watermelons. She often accompanied him as he set out to sell his produce at the local farm markets. As a tomboy Jean’s spunky nature was a perfect fit for farm life as she experienced many adventures with neighborhood friends. She usually opted to play sports until dusk called an end to the game. As a child she discovered a love for drawing that she would continue most of her life. Jean attended Carroll School from kindergarten through eighth grade. Outgoing and friendly, she went on to become a cheerleader at Coopersville High School where she later graduated.

As the American dream was revived throughout the nation, industry was booming and the West Michigan area was no exception. After high school, Jean held various jobs and continued to help work on the family farm. She remained living at home and it was during this time that oil drilling became big in the area. It was also a time when Jean’s life would be forever changed. An oil explorer from Gladwin, Michigan with roots from Pennsylvania by the name of John “Red” Mackey acquired drilling rights on the Doty farm. A dashing man, Jean was quite taken with Red and the feeling was mutual. He liked her sense of humor and before long a romance developed. They soon found themselves on their way to Angola, Indiana where they eloped on July 3, 1955.

Jean and Red began married life living in a trailer park in Comstock Park, Michigan until the great tornado of 1956 destroyed the park and most of the trailers. A frightening experience, they packed up what little they had left and moved in with Jean’s family. Before long they began building their first home on her father’s property where they began raising their family. Jeanine was born in 1956 and son Blythe “Lee” came along in 1957. Daughter Libby completed their family in 1963 and in 1965 they found themselves building their second home on Johnson Street where Jean would live the remainder of her days.

Many fond memories were made together while the children were growing up. An energetic and fun loving mom, Jean was dedicated and devoted as she looked after her family with the greatest of care. Although they never ventured too far as Red’s work required him to stay close to home, they did spend memorable times visiting Manitowoc, Wisconsin and drove to Florida one year. Content just being together, they also took several road trips throughout Michigan over the years.

Raising their family in the Catholic faith was important to Jean. They attended Sunday Mass faithfully and as devout parishioners at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Marne Jean became quite involved. The children attended Holy Spirit School and Coopersville elementary schools and they each graduated from Coopersville High School just as their mother had. Having been close to her parents it was an especially difficult time for Jean when they passed away. She continued to put her efforts into her family and her love for sketching and drawing remained. Quite talented, Jean was even asked by a Coopersville Latin teacher if she would sketch some Greek mythology pictures for his class. Not only was she gifted in this area but she also lovingly tended to making her house a home.

Many family get-togethers and meals were prepared by Jean and shared in the family home over the years. Lively card games usually ensued after dinner and was a family favorite. Jean’s playful nature gave her a mischievous way about her and it was always fun to be in her company.

Jean had varied interests and enjoyed reading a good mystery novel. With her love for New Orleans/Dixieland style jazz music, she also enjoyed listening to symphonic music as well as country music. When grandchildren and her two great grandsons came along Jean was delighted and found much joy in them. She had a deep love for her family and relied on their love and support when her beloved Red died of a heart attack in 1998. Life for Jean was often difficult without Red by her side but she remained in close contact with her childhood friends and enjoyed visiting the casinos when opportunities came along.

In the winter of 2008, Jean began experiencing shoulder pain after retrieving a trash can in her yard. Thinking it was a pulled muscle Jean’s daughter took her to the doctor where they discovered a large tumor in her lung. Jean began treatment through a clincal trial study for older adults and it helped diminish the tumor with positive results. When the tumor began to grow again an alternative chemotherapy treatment was tried. With no hope for a cure, she held fast to her faith and was cared for and comforted by the love of family. When treatment options were no longer available, she became a patient of Faith Hospice last July. As her condition worsened she went to Faith Hospice at Trillium Woods on Friday September 18 and sadly, Jean passed away with her children and grandchildren by her side on Tuesday, September 22, 2009 at the age of 75. She will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered by those who knew and loved her.

As her family mourns the loss of Jean they are comforted knowing she is in the Lord’s care along with her parents, Lee and Beatrice Doty and her husband, John “Red” Mackey. She leaves her children, Jeanine Nieboer, Blythe “Lee” Mackey and Libby Mackey; grandchildren, Neysia and Rod Smith, Ian Nieboer, Melissa Mackey, and Tim Mackey; great-grandsons, Mason Smith and Nickoli Mackey.

The Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Thursday, September 24, 2009, 11:00 AM at St. Mary’s Catholic Church–Marne. Relatives and friends may meet her family on Wednesday from 6:00–9:00 PM at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home–Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. NW. The rosary will be prayed at the funeral home on Thursday at 6:00 PM. Special thanks to the staff of Side By Side Respite Care and to Faith Hospice nurses Kay and Kathy for the loving care shown to Jean and her family.

Contributions in her memory may be made to Side By Side. To read more about Jean’s life, to sign her online guest book or to leave a memory please visit www.lifestorynet.com